Texas hail damage estimate increased 67% to $500 million

The Insurance Council of Texas has increased its estimate of insured losses from the April 3 storms in Denton and nearby areas to $500 million, up from its previous $300 million.

The Austin, Texas-based trade association said Friday that the revised estimate reflects continuing claims for hail-damaged automobiles and houses.

“When it's all said and done, the storm will have damaged at least 35,000 automobiles and approximately 22,000 homes,” a spokesman for the group said in a statement.

Thunderstorms, which packed hail as large as softballs, struck Denton twice on April 3. The storms moved eastward and spawned at least four confirmed tornadoes as well as wind gusts up to 82 mph and large hail.